Just coming off of an AMAZING weekend, partaking in the IF:Gathering with over 200 women from the Iowa City area. We gathered to wrestle with IF. IF God is real, then what? How will we live differently and what hold us back from living like we believe?
It’s hard stuff. And perfection is not what God seeks – but He does expect us to be transitioning into the next, humblest version of ourselves (Bob Goff’s great words), always refining and changing – becoming LOVE.
I am a HUGE Andy Stanley fan and all I can think of is his book, The Principle of the Path. The direction you are currently traveling–relationally, financially, spiritually, etc.–will determine where you end up on each of those respected arenas. Your current direction will determine your destination.
So basically, IF we believe that God is real, then we (you and I) are either making an eternal decision that glorifies and honors God (living on this earth but not of this earth) and are becoming more like Christ (LOVE) – or, we are not. So when we get to heaven, if Jesus shows us a slideshow of our life, what will you be watching?
This has been a really weird week, friends and sweet nibblets if I am not sick about writing about a taboo subject (in my mind it is taboo, as I struggle with the fear of rejection and being judged), but it has gripped my heart so tight that I have to release it. I am talking about a word that rhymes with ex and starts with “s” and the theory of the path in relation to it.
Monday, when I asked a friend what to get her 11 (turning 12) year old daughter for her birthday, she said a Victoria’s Secret gift card – because she likes their PINK stuff. Did not even process the ramifications of this and I am a people pleaser, I want to be loved and thought of as cool (I know, thank goodness I have a Savior!), and I wanted to check it off my list and get the gift there on time. So off to the mall we go.
My 11 year old daughter and I stood outside the store, staring in as I explained that this store was selling sex and you know that because of the ladies biting their lips, the nearly naked, life sized underwear models that are saying if you wear these panties, you will feel sexy and be desired, etc., etc. etc. I tried to justify our being there – she just wants PINK stuff, we’ll just run in quick. So we stepped in and I just froze. Wait a minute. I would never, ever send my daughter into this store – so why would I send someone else I love there? And I am certain that this store and what they are selling (sexy is their middle name and they are not targeting married women or you would see wedding rings and husbands in their photos and ads, right?) does not glorify God one ounce, so why would I spend the treasure (money) that He has entrusted us with to support this? We are so hopeful that EOS and nail polish was the next best thing on her list…
Praising God on Tuesday that my 13 year old son was not the one getting the mail, as the innocent Sports Illustrated subscription that began showing up just crossed the line with trying to send their swimsuit issue into our house. How many mailboxes received this and it is now in the hands of young boys? Men who are struggling with sex addiction? Girls/Women who are being told by this world that they are sex objects?
My trashcan (the big stinky one that we push to the curb) was the only home for this at our house. I felt so violated, that they would send this without permission – but then found a little peace and knew I had a choice. So I said a half-hearted prayer for grace (keeping it real, my blood was hot) and made a call… On the bright side, I feel quite hopeful that we will never. ever. receive anything from this company again.
And finally, on Wednesday, I kept bumping into 50 shades. If 50 shades means nothing to you and you have no idea what I am talking about, bless you. For those that know exactly what I am talking about, this is very black and white. Sisters who are loved by God, you are either on the path to eternity or you are off. The choice is yours and it isn’t grey. Make a good one. You glorify your Heavenly Father every time you choose Him.